Swine flu incidence growing in Maldives : Maldivian Health officials

The incidence of swine flu is increasing in the Maldives amidst a seasonal spike in respiratory infections and influenza, health authorities in Maldives have revealed.

The Maldives Independent reported of 208 patients tested, 27 have tested positive so far this year, compared to 16 positive cases out of 475 influenza patients tested during the past two years.

Seeking to assuage fears and avert public panic at a press conference Monday morning, health officials stressed that the situation does not warrant emergency measures such as closing schools or issuing travel alerts.

The 27 cases are not serious or life-threatening, doctors said.

Following rumours on social media about a dangerous outbreak, the Health Protection Agency released a statement at 1:00am on Monday saying that it has found H1N1 positive cases during routine influenza surveillance and testing, the report said.

“However, this is not similar to the swine flu pandemic,” the HPA said.

The HPA explained that the H1N1 flu virus has been circulating as a normal seasonal influenza every year since the 2009 pandemic when it was a new strain. More people have since developed immunity and the virus does not spread as fast.

“As such, H1N1 is now similar to any other influenza and not any more severe or dangerous,” the HPA said.

“However, very young children, the elderly and those with certain pre-existing conditions such as lung diseases can have more severe disease or have complications when infected with any type of influenza.”

The HPA said it is working with clinicians, health facilities and other authorities to take measures for controlling the spread of influenza in line with epidemic control protocols.

The health ministry meanwhile called a press conference this morning with doctors from the government-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, the private ADK hospital, and the HPA.